Highway 24-18 Junction Businesses

Highway 24-18 Junction Businesses

NPS Photo/Daniel Cox

In 1926 Nicodemus descendant Reginald (Reg) Henrie recognized a commercial opportunity and opened a service station on the south side of this busy intersection. His two gas pumps faced north toward Highway 24 in front of his two-story building. Large cottonwood trees provided shade from behind. Reg Henrie built and rented two one-room cabins located east of his service station. After he died in 1944, descendants Harry and Loretta Green took over, providing pop, cold beer, and open-air dances for travelers and area residents. About 500 feet south of the station, another descendant, mechanic Alvin (Tink) Bates operated a service garage. North across the busy intersection, Bill and Dorotha Garland ran a grocery store in their one-story house. A stone garage to the east housed their Model A Ford. This highway intersection was one of the busiest in eastern Graham county, providing groceries, gas, repairs, and lodging to Highway 24 and 18 travelers and area residents.